Tokyo Olympics Boxing: PM Narendra praises Lovlina Borgohain’s ‘determination’ after boxer’s bronze

Sports minister Anurag Thakur said he was proud that Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain gave it her ‘best punch’ in the Tokyo Olympics semifinal.

Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain won a bronze at Tokyo Olympics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first ones to laud Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain’s efforts in bringing home a bronze from the Tokyo Olympics. Lovlina became only the second woman boxer from India to win an Olympic medal after the legendary MC Mary Kom. The Assam pugilist went down fighting to Turkey’s Busenaz Surmeneli in the 69kg welterweight semifinal.

“Well fought @LovlinaBorgohai! Her success in the boxing ring inspires several Indians. Her tenacity and determination are admirable. Congratulations to her on winning the Bronze. Best wishes for her future endeavours,” PM Narendra Modi tweeted.

Well fought @LovlinaBorgohai! Her success in the boxing ring inspires several Indians. Her tenacity and determination are admirable. Congratulations to her on winning the Bronze. Best wishes for her future endeavours. #Tokyo2020 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 4, 2021

Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday (August 3) led the state in praying for boxer Lovlina Borgohain.

The Chief Minister lit a lamp at the Nehru Stadium here at a program organized to wish her luck and pray for her success in the crucial semi-final match. He said that the best wishes of all in the state was with the ace boxer and ‘I pray for her success’. 

Sports minister Anurag Thakur said he was proud that Lovlina gave it her ‘best punch’. “Lovlina, you gave your best punch ! India is extremely proud of what you have achieved! You’ve achieved a Third place medal medal in your first Olympics; the journey has just begun! Well done @LovlinaBorgohai!”

Lovlina, you gave your best punch !

India is extremely proud of what you have achieved !

You've achieved a medal in your first Olympics; the journey has just begun!

Well done @LovlinaBorgohai !#Boxing #Olympics #Tokyo2020 #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/kIW7qkeze5 — Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 4, 2021

Lovlina goes home a history-maker as the 23-year-old has become only the third Indian boxer to ensure a podium finish at the showpiece after Vijender Singh (2008) and M C Mary Kom (2012).

Vijender wrote: “And it's bronze in boxing. Proud of you #LovlinaBorgohain.”

And it's bronze in boxing proud of you #LovlinaBorgohain — Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 4, 2021

India’s lone individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra also congratulated Borgohain for her ‘stellar run’ at the Olympics and shared his thoughts in a letter posted on Twitter.

Many Congratulations @LovlinaBorgohai for a stellar run at the #Tokyo2020. You have made the whole country extremely proud ! pic.twitter.com/v52EHx2Ksb — Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 4, 2021

“To achieve a milestone of such difficulty while making your debut at the grandest sporting event in the world is nothing short of incredible. It speaks volumes of your immense grit and belief in your skills and not be overawed by the occasion.”

Former sportspersons, including cricketers, also took to the social media to wish the boxer from Assam. “There is no doubt that the Turkish World Champion Busenaz was a superior boxer. There is also no doubt that @LovlinaBorgohai gave it her all. Congrats on your bronze medal Lovlina. You have so much to be proud of,” former India hockey player Viren Rasquinha tweeted.

Former India cricket captain Sachin Tendulkar said, “With your commitment and hard work, I am sure things will only get better from here.”

Congratulations on winning #Bronze, @LovlinaBorgohai!

Terrific achievement to win a medal in your first ever #Olympics

With your commitment and hard work, I am sure things will only get better from here.

The entire nation is very proud of you. #Tokyo2020 #Boxing pic.twitter.com/5qiw8xpjdr — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 4, 2021